Judge Juan Merchan of New York recently ruled in favor of Alvin Bragg by granting the Manhattan district attorney’s request to implement a gag order on President Donald Trump.
Bragg, who receives financial support from billionaire George Soros, insisted on silencing Trump with a gag order in the case involving “hush-money” payments. Merchan issued the order against the presumed 2024 GOP presidential nominee on Tuesday.
The judge, known for his contributions to Democratic causes, including President Joe Biden, cited Trump’s previous extrajudicial statements as the basis for his decision. He argued that Trump’s statements pose a significant risk to the administration of justice.
Merchan mandated that Trump refrain from making or instructing others to make public statements about witnesses, their potential involvement, counsel in the case (excluding Bragg), court staff, DA staff, or their family members.
Additionally, the Democratic judge prohibited Trump from making or instructing others to make public statements about any potential or selected juror.
Merchan justified his ruling by pointing out Trump’s past behavior during other legal proceedings, likely alluding to the lengthy non-jury civil “fraud” trial related to the case initiated by New York’s Democratic Attorney General Letitia James.
In his ruling, Merchan writes:
“Indeed, his statements were threatening, inflammatory, denigrating, and the targets of his statements ranged from local and federal officials, court and court state prosecutors and staff assigned to the cases, and private individuals including grand jurors performing their civic duty.
“The consequences of those statements included not only fear on the part of the individual targeted but also the assignment of increased security resources to investigate threats and protect the individuals and family members thereof.”
Merchan declared on Monday that the trial is set to commence on April 15. Bragg charged Trump with 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree. Trump entered a plea of not guilty to all accusations.
Bragg alleged that Trump “repeatedly and fraudulently falsified New York business records to conceal criminal conduct that hid damaging information from the voting public during the 2016 presidential election.”
In relation to the purported hush-money payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign, charges have been brought forth. However, it is worth noting that in 2019, federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York decided against charging Trump in connection with the alleged payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal. Furthermore, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) concluded its investigation into this issue in 2021.
